Dishwashing brush



J. W. CUMMINGS DISHWASI-IING BRUSH Filed March 25, 1960 Oct. 9, 1962INVENTOR. Jo/7n M 60mm/'05's .i 3y Z ATTO/QA/'y 3,056,997 Patented Oct.9, 1962 Fice 3,056,997 DlSHWASli-HNG BRUSH John W. Cummings, Tulsa,Okla., assignor to Blake-Cummings Mfg. Co., Tulsa, Gkla., a corporationof Okla- This invention relates to improvements in dishwashingapparatus, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to adishwashing brush particularly designed and constructed for facilitatingthe scrubbing of dishes at the kitchen sink, or the like.

With the widespread utilization of washing detergents, and particularlydishwashing detergents, the washing of dishes has been greatlyfacilitated in that the detergents have considerably more powerfulcleaning action than soaps. However, the detergents are often harsh tothe skin, and frequently have painful effects on the hands of thedishwasher. As a result, there have been many attempts to provide ameans for washing the dishes utilizing the superior cleaning action ofthe detergents, and at the same time, reduce the exposure of the handsto the harshness thereof. Dishwashing brushes, such as the devicedisclosed in the I. J. Moritt Patent No. 2,772,430, issued December 4,1956, and entitled Dish Cleaning Device With Detergent Feed, have beendeveloped for facilitating the washing by providing a two-fold function,namely, a scraping or scrubbing of the dirty dishes for removing lodgedfood particles therefrom with a simultaneous final washing of thedishes. However, the presently available dishwashing brushes havecertain disadvantages in that it is often difficult to insert the brushinto relatively small openings, such as glasses, and the like, thusreducing the eiciency of the brush. Furthermore, there is usually aconsiderable wasting of the detergent since the brush element normallydoes not tend to retain a supply of the washing agent thereon, but mustbe substantially constantly supplied therewith.

The present invention contemplates a novel dishwashing brush providedwith a brush element of a substantially wedge shaped conguration forfacilitating the manipulation thereof during the dishwashing operation.In addition, -a detergent retaining element is disposed in the proximity`of the brush whereby a constant supply of detergent is present at thescrubbing surface for conserving the detergent and providing an efcientscrubbing of the dishes. Furthermore, the novel scrub brush is providedwith means for regulating the flow of detergent to the brush elementwhereby the most economical manner of utilization thereof is possible.The novel dishwashing brush is simple and etiicient in operation andeconomical and durable in construction.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved brushfor facilitating the hand washing of dishes, and the like.

It is another :object of this invention to provide a novel dishwashingbrush particularly designed and constructed for facilitating themanipulation thereof in the washing of dishes having restricted openingstherein.

L Another object of this invention is to provide a novel scrub brushhaving a detergent retaining element in the proximity of the brush forassuring a suicient supply of the detergent thereto.

A further :object of this invention is -to provide a novel dishwashingbrush wherein a regulated supply of detergent is directed to the brushelement for substantially reducing wastage of the detergent during thedishwashing operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a noveldishwashing brush which is simple and efficient in operation andeconomical and durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which i1- lustrate my invention.

ln `the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of a dishwashing brushembodying the invention.

FlGURE 2 is a perspective view of a dishwashing brush embodying theinvention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 2 generallyindicates a scrub brush or dishwashing brush comprising a tubularhousing 4 for receiving a suitable detergent 6 therein. The detergent 6is preferably of the liquid type, but may be of any suitable typewherein water, or the like, may be added thereto for providing a liquidstate therefor. The housing 4 is preferably constructed of a transparentmaterial, such as plastic, or the like, and not only provides areservoir 7 for the detergent 6, but also functions as a handle portionfor the brush apparatus 2. A lower cover or cap member 8, preferablyconstructed of rubber, plastic, or the like, but not limited thereto, ismovably secured to the lower end 9 of the tube 4, and may be retainedthereon in any suitable manner, such as by friction. The cap member 8 isprovided with an aperture 10 extending through the side wall thereof. Asimilar aperture 12 is provided in the proximity of the lower end 9 ofthe sleeve 4 for cooperation with the aperture 10, as will behereinafter set forth. The lower end 9 of the tube 4 is preferably open,as clearly shown in FIG. l, and it will be readily apparent that thecover member 8 securely closes the open end 9 for retaining thedetergent 6 within the reservoir 7.

The opposed end or upper end 13 of the housing 4 is open for receiving abrush element generally indicated at 14. The brush element 14 comprisesan insert member 16 adapted for insertion within the open upper end 13of the tube 4, as shown in FIG. l. A circumferential shoulder 17 :may beprovided on the outer periphery of the insert 16 for contacting theupper end 13 of the housing 4 to `eiiiciently seal the reservoir 7 andto limit the depth of insertion of the insert 16 therein.` The insert 16may be secured within the tube 4 by a collar 18, or the like, ifdesired. The insert 16, brush 21, tube 22 and bag 24 are preferablyretained together as a unit, -or may be of a unitary construction, ifdesired, whereby they may be readily removed from the tube 4 for removalof the entire brush element 14 to permit replacement thereof in theevent the brush element becomes worn, :or the like.

An orice 20 extends longitudinally through the insert 16 for receiving asuitable tube member 22 therein. A brush member 21 of the brush element14 having the usual wire stitfening members 23 therein is carried by theinsert member 16, and extends longitudinally from the handle 4 toprovide a scrubbing `element for the apparatus 2. A scrubbing ba'g 24,preferably constructed of a fabric, such as canvas, or the like, isdisposed within the brush `21 and is secured tothe tube 22 in anysuitable manner (not shown) whereby the detergent 6 may be directed fromthe reservoir 7 to the bag 24. The bag 24 is preferably filled with anabsorbent or sponge material 26 for quickly absorbing the liquiddetergent 6 and re.

accese? thereof into a restricted opening, such as a glass, or the lOperation` When -it is desired to wash dishes (not shown), the novelbrush apparatus 2 may be utilized for simultaneously scraping the foodparticles or residue from the dishes and providing the final washingtherefor. The dish may be manually held under a running stream or waterfrom a faucet, or the like (not shown), and scrubbed clean with thebrush 21. The running water provides a rinsing of the dishes to washaway any `detergent which may remain thereon after the scrubbingoperation, and the clean or washed dishes may be dried `in the usualmanner for completing the dishwashing operation.

In order to fill or substantially till the reservoir 7 with thedetergent `6, the cap member 8 may be quickly and easily removed fromthe open end 9 of the housing. Thus, the liquid detergent 6 may bedeposited within the reservoir. The transparency of the housing provides`a visual indication of lthe quantity of fluid or washing agent presenttherein at all times. The cap member `8 is then replaced on the open end9 of the housing for retaining the liquid therein. The apparatus 2 isthen preferably held in such a manner that the brush element 14 isdisposed lower than the cover 8 whereby the liquid detergent within thehousing will tend to flow toward the insert member 16. l` he cover 8 maybe rotated with respect to the sleeve 4 whereby the aperture 10 isbrought into substantial alignment with the aperture 12. In this manner,a small quantity of air is admitted into the housing for displacing aportion of the liquid detergent therein. This relatively small regulatedportion of the detergent will be delivered to the absorbent material 26within the bag 24 for moistening the fabric or material of which the bagis constructed. The cover 8 is then rotated with respect to the sleeve 4for closing the aperture 12.

lThe absorbent material 26 tends to retain the supply of detergentdelivered thereto for maintaining a moist condition for the bag 24.Thus, a substantially constant supply of detergent will be provided inthe proximity of the brush 21. As the dishes are scrubbed or scrapedwith the brush element 14, the moist bag 24 will rub against the dishesfor supplying a coating Yof the washing agent thereto. Simultaneously,the brush 21 scrubs and washes the dishes for eflciently removing anyresidue thereon. The bag 24 tends to remain moist for a considerablelength of time for assuring an adequate dispersal of the detergentduring the washing operation, and yet substantially precludes anywastage of the detergent. When the bag becomes dry, the supply ofdetergent thereto may be quickly replenished by opening the aperture 12,as hereinbefore set forth, whereby a relatively small, regulatedquantity of the liquid will be supplied thereto.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel dishwashing brush particularly designed and constructedfor maintaining a substantially constant supply of the washing .agent inthe proximity of the brush element. This not only increases theefficiency of the brush, but also greatly reduces wasting of thedetergent. In addition, the Wedge shaped configuration of the brushfacilitates the insertion thereof into restricted openings, such asglasses, and the like. The novel brush is simple and ecient in operationand economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrange- A ment of parts asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of theinvention may be made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Iiclaim:

l. A dishwashing brush comprising a cylindrical body portion, a fluidreservoir provided in the body for receiving a detergent therein, abrush removably secured to one end of the body, said brush comprising awire stiffening element which is provided with a plurality of radiallyextending bristles and that has a pair of oppositely disposed elementsbent into a wedge shaped coniiguration, a cap member movably secured tothe opposite end of the body, an absorbent scrubbing pad provided withinthe brush, said pad being of a substantially wedge shaped conligurationcomplementary to the brush, conduit means providing communicationbetween the reservoir and the pad, and aperture means cooperatingbetween the cap member and the body for supplying a regulated quantityof the detergent to the pad.

2. A dishwashing brush comprising a tubul-ar housing having at least oneend thereof open, a iiuid reservoir provided in the housing forreceiving a detergent therein, an insert member removably secured to theopen end of the housing, `a brush element carried by the insert member,said brush element comprising a wire stiffening element which isprovided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has apair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shapedconfiguration, an absorbent scrubbing pad carried by the insert memberand `disposed within the brush, said pad being of a substantially wedgeshaped con-figuration complementary to the brush element, an oritceextending longitudinally through the insert member, a tube disposed inthe oriiice and extending into the pad to provide communication betweenthe reservoir and the pad, a cap member movably secured to the oppositeend of the housing, and aperture means cooperating between the capImember and the housing for directing a regulated portion of thedetergent through the tube to the pad.

y3. A dishwashing brush comprising a cylindrical housing, a iiuidreservoir provided in the housing for receiving a detergent therein, awedge shaped brush removably secured to one end of the body, said brushcomprising a wire stiffening element which is provided with a pluralityof radially extending bristles and that has a pair of oppositelydisposed elements bent into a wedge shaped configuration, an absorbentcomplementary wedge shaped scrubbing pad provided within the brush,passageway means providing communication between the reservoir and thepad, a cap member movably secured to the opposite end of the housing,said housing provided with an aperture in the proximity of the capmember, said cap tember provided with a complementary aperture wherebythe aperture in the housing will be in alignment therewith in oneposition of the cap relative to the housing for permitting a iiow of airinto the reservoir to displace a quantity of the detergent thereinthrough the passageway means and into the pad, and said apertures in asecond position of the cap relative to the housing closed for precludinga iiow of air into the reservoir and interrupting the supply ofdetergent to the pad.

4. A dishwashing brush comprising a tubular housing having at least oneend thereof open, a fluid reservoir provided in the housing forreceiving a detergent therein, an insert member removably secured to theopen end of the housing, a brush element carried by the insert member,said brush element comprising a wire stiifening element which isprovided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has apair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shapedconiiguration, an absorbent scrubbing pad carried by the insert memberand disposed within the outermost portions of the brush, said pad shapedin vcomplementary substantially wedge shaped configuration to the brushelement, an orice extending 1ongitudinally through the insert member, atube disposed in the orice and extending into the pad to providecommunication between the reservoir and the pad, a. cap member movablysecured to the opposite end of the housing, said housing and cap memberprovided with complementary apertures whereby one position of the capmember relative to the housing will open the apertures for permitting aflow of air into the reservoir and a second position between the cap andhousing will close the apertures for preeluding the flow of air into thereservoir, said apertures in an open position providing for a deliveryof a regulated quantity of the detergent from the reservoir through thetube and into the pad, and said apertures in the closed positioninterrupting the delivery of the detergent to the pad.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS GerikeNov. 25, 1879 Anderson May 20, 1930 Pollock Aug. 4, 1931 R-issman Ian.10, 1939 Guy Mar. 23, 1943 Trill Aug. 21, 1951 Davies Sept. 11, 1951Douglass Sept. 20, 1955 Rowser et a1 Dec. 13, 1955 Lathrop Apr. 19, 1960FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Sept. 12, 1895 France Mar. 1, 1948

